Gaddesden Hall, Water End, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire. Archaeological Watching Brief (OASIS ID: heritage1-123688)

As the result of advice from the Local Planning Officer for Dacorum District Council, the Heritage Network was commissioned by the owner to undertake a programme of archaeological monitoring during groundworks at Gaddesden Hall, Noake Mill Lane, Water End, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire. The groundworks consisted of the excavation of a soakaway, drainage trenches, wall footings and ground reduction within the drive area to the north of the house. The groundworks revealed a number of brick wall foundations, all of which correspond to the building ranges shown on the 1st edition Ordnance Survey maps. In addition an icehouse and well were discovered close to the main building and probably date to the same period. The materials used are all very consistent. The only earlier feature revealed was a post-medieval quarry pit, probably excavated during one of the phases of post medieval construction of the site. No evidence was revealed of medieval or early post-medieval activity on the site.